..............And Everything!!

Valentine Tag!

I have been Valentine tagged by Veronica & Piccadilly! That means I get to make five wishes and tag five furfriends with a rosette or pmail!

1. I wish I wasn't scared of anything!
2. I wish everyfur had a loving and warm home.
3. I wish I could have yummy steak everynight for dinner!
4. I wish my Mommy could stay home with me all day!
5. I wish I could have a kitty sister! BOL!

I am off to tag:

♥ Abigail
♥ Harry H. Parker Esq.
♥ Lucy
♥ Mollie Tzu
♥ The Boyzzzz



♥ Happy Valentine's Day! ♥

TAG!

I was tagged by Molly, Peek A Boo & Scruffkins McGruff Holmes


In this game of tag each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Dogs who are tagged need to post in their diary the rules and their 7 random facts. Then choose 7 pups to tag and list their names. Then let them know by pmail or a rosette that they have been tagged and to read your diary for instructions on how to play.

Have Fun!

My 7 facts:

1. My new sister Wednesday is my cousin too!
2. I am very scared of thunderstorms and fireworks!
3. I love to bury my treats all over the house!
4. I don't like riding in the car anymore, the bumps in the road are scary!
5. My new sister Wednesday thinks my tail is a magic carpet!
6. I love to have my belly rubbed!
7. I love playing in the snow!

These are the pups I am tagging:


♥ Tally
♥ Joy
♥ Sammy
♥ Zoe
♥ Lady
♥ Lucy
♥ Mimi

History Of Halloween

Unlike many other festivals, the history of Halloween is also inspired through traditions that have transpired through ages from one generation to another. The name Halloween is Scottish in origin and is short for "All Hallow's Eve," the night before "All Hallow's Day," or All Saint's Day. That day was set by Pope Boniface IV to honor the Catholic saints, and also to replace a Roman pagan festival of the dead. Later, Pope Gregory III changed All Saint's Day to November 1. In old English the word 'Hallow' meant 'sanctify'. Roman Catholics, Episcopalians and Lutherians used to observe All Hallows Day to honor all Saints in heaven, known or unknown. They used to consider it with all solemnity as one of the most significant observances of the Church year. And Catholics, all and sundry, was obliged to attend Mass.

One story says that, on that day, the disembodied spirits of all those who had died throughout the preceding year would come back in search of living bodies to possess for the next year. It was believed to be their only hope for the afterlife. The Celts believed all laws of space and time were suspended during this time, allowing the spirit world to intermingle with the living. Naturally, the still-living did not want to be possessed. So on the night of October 31, villagers would extinguish the fires in their homes, to make them cold and undesirable. They would then dress up in all manner of ghoulish costumes and noisily paraded around the neighborhood, being as destructive as possible in order to frighten away spirits looking for bodies to possess.

Probably a better explanation of why the Celts extinguished their fires was not to discourage spirit possession, but so that all the Celtic tribes could relight their fires from a common source, the Druidic fire that was kept burning in the Middle of Ireland, at Usinach. The Romans adopted the Celtic practices as their own. But in the first century AD, Samhain was assimilated into celebrations of some of the other Roman traditions that took place in October, such as their day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple, which might explain the origin of our modern tradition of bobbing for apples on Halloween.

The thrust of the practices also changed over time to become more ritualized. As belief in spirit possession waned, the practice of dressing up like hobgoblins, ghosts, and witches took on a more ceremonial role. The custom of Halloween was brought to America in the 1840's by Irish immigrants fleeing their country's potato famine. At that time, the favorite pranks in New England included tipping over outhouses and unhinging fence gates.

The custom of trick-or-treating is thought to have originated not with the Irish Celts, but with a ninth-century European custom called souling. On November 2, All Souls Day, early Christians would walk from village to village begging for "soul cakes," made out of square pieces of bread with currants. The more soul cakes the beggars would receive, the more prayers they would promise to say on behalf of the dead relatives of the donors. At the time, it was believed that the dead remained in limbo for a time after death, and that prayer, even by strangers, could expedite a soul's passage to heaven.

The Jack-o-lantern custom probably comes from Irish folklore. As the tale is told, a man named Jack, who was notorious as a drunkard and trickster, tricked Satan into climbing a tree. Jack then carved an image of a cross in the tree's trunk, trapping the devil up the tree. Jack made a deal with the devil that, if he would never tempt him again, he would promise to let him down the tree.

According to the folk tale, after Jack died, he was denied entrance to Heaven because of his evil ways, but he was also denied access to Hell because he had tricked the devil. Instead, the devil gave him a single ember to light his way through the frigid darkness. The ember was placed inside a hollowed-out turnip to keep it glowing longer.

The Irish used turnips as their "Jack's lanterns" originally. But when the immigrants came to America, they found that pumpkins were far more plentiful than turnips. So the Jack-O-Lantern in America was a hollowed-out pumpkin, lit with an ember.

Halloween has grown out of rituals of the Celts celebrating a new year, from Medieval prayer rituals of Europeans, and the Irish legend of Jack O'Lantern.

I've Been Tagged!

I've been tagged by Gracie & Princess Zoe Robertson!

Here are the rules of the game. Make a diary entry, giving 5 pawsome facts about yourself! Choose 5 pals to tag, and list them last! Post the rules of the game. Send your pals a pawmail or rosette telling them they have been tagged to play the game! Write 5 facts and tag 5 friends.

1. I am now scared to ride in the car!

2. I love TV! My fav commercial is the "aint no bugs on me," commercial! I run in the room every time I hear it!

3. I love baby kitties!

4. My fav place to be is under Mom and Dad's bed!

5. I love treats, all treats!

I'm tagging my friends:

Gunther, Roxi, Missy, Abby & Chloe!

Love Bug!

Here is the newest Dogster TAG game! I have been Love Tagged by Veronica & Mugsy!

All you have to do after you have been "Love Tagged" is share some love by tagging three friends! That's all! Tell your friends they have been Love Tagged and to read your diary! You will submit an entry telling who you are tagging and why!

I tagged:

1. Mato because he is one of my fav woofs and is as silly as I am!
2. Gabby because she is the sweetest little thing I know!
3. Crumpet because she is a cutie girl and just had almost the same surgery I had to have a few months ago!

Watch out for the Love bug…….

TAG!

I have been tagged by Veronica, Gabby Doodle & Nikki!

Here are the rules:

Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Dogs who are tagged, need to post in their Diary the rules & their 7 pawsome facts. Then choose 7 dogs to tag and list their names. Don’t forget to bark them a pmail that they have been tagged and to read your Diary!!!

1. I am or at least I think I am the boss of the house! All the toys are mine and all the treats are mine!

2. I love kitties. We just found four kitties in our backyard and kept them for a few days to take care of until we could find a shelter for them to go to. I mothered them like they were my own. I played with them and cleaned their ears! They were so fun!

3. I love to ride in the car. I have my own carseat and seatbelt and I love to look out the window. I can't wait to take our trip to Yellowstone in a few weeks to meet my pal Veronica!

4. I love chew treats, my favorite is Merrick Flossies. I am the best chewer. I can finish a Flossy in a matter of minutes!!

5. My favorite thing to do in the summer is play in the water. I love running through sprinklers. I got my own life jacket so I will try out swimming this summer too!

6. I have many places I like to sleep. The best spot is under the big people bed. It's nice and cool under there and no one can get me! My second favorite spot to sleep is in my pink doggie dreamhouse bed, it's nice and cozy in there!

7. I am a Mommy's girl. I love my Mommy, she spoils me and sings to me and everything!

I tagged Midori, Charlotte, Suzy Q Austin, Ted, Missy, Angel & Pearly!

TAG, you're it!

I Had Surgery....

Hi everyone! I really don’t write in my diary much but I figured I should explain all the pictures of my surgery on my page! So here goes……

About six months ago my Mom noticed small reddish purplish bumps in a cluster on my head about the size of peas. She took me to the vet and they looked me over. They said they were sebaceous cysts that were fine to stay there on my head and that it was probably caused by an overproduction of oil in the glands on my head. So on our way we went! A few months ago Mom took me to the vet for a checkup and had the vet take a look at my head while we were there. Let me just tell you the bumps have never changed in size or appearance. The same vet said they were keloid scars and should be removed. This was a little strange coming from the same vet, so Mom decided to find another vet to get a second opinion. Well a few weeks later the cysts started to ooze. We found another vet and he said the bumps on my head appeared to be cysts and he would recommend that they be removed as soon as possible and sent out for a biopsy. So we made the appointment for surgery the following week. On February 23, 2007 I had surgery to remove the cysts. Mom was worried but knew I would be okay. When she came to pick me up from having surgery she didn’t expect for me to be in the shape I was in. She was shocked to see me with a large wound on my head; she pictured it to be smaller. She was upset and felt bad. But we knew the cysts needed to be removed. The vet said the surgery went very well and that he had to make sure he got all the skin where the cysts were. So the vet sent me home with pain medication and we went home and I began my recovery and waited for the biopsy results. The first day I was in pain and cried but I was still a little drowsy from the anesthesia. The first night when we all went to bed Daddy told my sister Isabelle to listen for me incase I got up in the middle of the night. Well, my sister is very smart and she listens well. I got up in the middle of the night and went to the living room because I couldn’t sleep. Isabelle let out three quick loud barks to let Mom and Dad know I was up. Then she went in and woke them up to come see what I was doing. So they all got up and put me back into the big bed and I slept safe and sound after that! What a good little nurse sister I have! The second day was worse. I was alert now and realized I had this big old bulky e-collar on! Boy I hated that thing. The doctor told Mom I would need to wear the e-collar for 2 weeks! I wore it to bed the first few nights. Then Mom had a soft e-collar shipped over night that she had purchased on the internet. That collar was a life saver! Much, much better than the other one I had. After about 4 days I didn’t wear any of my e-collars! I was healing surprisingly fast and didn’t even scratch at my wound. I knew I wasn’t supposed to bother it. My sister and I had to refrain from playing for a few weeks. Although we did sneak and start in a few times before Mom caught us! The following Monday after my surgery the doctor called and said the cysts were benign! NO CANCER, YAY!!! We were all so relieved. The vet did say he was very concerned that the cysts may come back. You see, if they were to come back on my head again there isn’t that much skin left to cover the wound the next time and it would be a major problem. There are ways to stretch the skin and cover wounds but it is not easy. So we will watch and check my head often to make sure there are no signs of new cysts. The doctor said there is a shampoo we could try using incase they came back but he wasn’t sure if that would even work. Let’s just hope they don’t come back! Anyway, I am healing well and today I had my stitches removed! The doctor said everything is looking well and I am healing fast! Wooo hoooo……….glad that is over with!

I want to thank all my special Dogster friends for all the prayers and support they have given me along the way! I wuf you all!

XOXOXO
Lucy

Green

So why do we all wear green?

Probably because you'll be pinched if you don't! School children started this tradition. Green is also the color of spring, the shamrock and is connected with hope and nature.

The luck of the Irish

Want to be lucky this St. Patrick's Day? Follow this advice:

1. Find a four-leaf clover.
2. Wear green (so you don't get pinched).
3. Kiss the blarney stone.
4. Catch a Leprechaun if you can.

In honor of the festivities we leave you with this Irish blessing:

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow and may trouble avoid you wherever you go!

Heart Shaped Chicken Pooch Pie

Filling
1/2 med sweet potato
1/2 cup chopped chicken breast or turkey
1/4 cup grated carrot
1/4 cup grated cheese
1/4 cup frozen peas
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tbs milk

Pastry
8 oz whole wheat flour
4 oz butter
1/4 cup ice water
A little melted butter or milk for brushing the pastry

To Make The Filling
Heat oven to 375. Grate the potato, carrot and cheese. In a bowl, combine the potato, chicken, carrot, peas, cheese, garlic powder and milk. Mix thoroughly.

To Make The Pastry
Rub butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. Slowly add the ice water until the dough holds together. Put onto a lightly floured board and divide into four. Roll out the first piece and cut into a heart shape using a cookie cutter. Alternatively, if you have a heart shaped tart tin, press pasty into the tin. Fill with the filling. Roll out a second piece and cover. Crimp the edges together and poke a set of holes in the top. Brush the tops either with melted butter or a little milk. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. If baked in a tart tin, wait 5 minutes and then turn out onto a wire rack. Serve at room temperature.

Christmas Dogs

Every year on Christmas Eve night
With ears perked up and eyes all bright
Shiny black noses raise to the sky
Waiting for a reindeer scent to go by

No growls, snarls, or barks this eve
He comes with magic up his sleeve
Liver, bones, and treats galore
Every puppy has love in store

Black nose greets red in perfect delight
A canine greeting for Santa tonight
Every dog knows that this night of all
Means happiness for humans, and puppies all

Here he comes the man in red
He knows the children will all be in bed
Calling to the dogs "Come out!" he'll say
He pulls out a rubber ball "It's time to play!"

Treats and liver are fine, and tasty too
But a dog really wants to just play with you
Santa Claus knows this and sees it done
Because playing with dogs is just too much fun!

"Good heavens!" after a while he cries
"Look at the clock; look at how time flies!
I must be off, I have many things to do
But YOU will see me to play tomorrow too!"

For the humans it seems to be once a year
That Santa comes with his little reindeer
But the dogs, oh the dogs, get him every night?
You know, that seems to be just about right!

They all know the real truth you see
The dogs know much more than you or me
They know how to love, and to bring good cheer
And they know how to do it every night of the year.

Pumpkin Biscotti Doggie Treats

Preheat oven to 350°F

1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1/4 cup each liquid honey and water
2 tbs canola oil
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda

1. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, honey, water, oil, egg and vanilla. Stir in flour, cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda until well incorporated.

2. In the bowl and using hands, knead until dough holds together. Transfer to lightly floured surface. Divide dough into 2 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a log. Flatten the logs to make about 4 inches wide.

3. With a fork, poke holes all over the surface of the logs. Place about 4 inches apart on baking sheet.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until firm. Place pan on a rack and let cool for 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300°F.

5. With a sharp knife, cut each log into 1/4-inch thick slices. Place, cut side down, about 1/2 inch apart on baking sheets. Bake for 30 minutes longer or until hard. Transfer cookies to a rack and let cool completely. Store in a tightly sealed container for up to 30 days.

Enjoy!

Scorpio

Sign of The Scorpion
Ruling Planet - Mars
Most Desirable Qualities - Strong likes and dislikes, independent
Talent - Hiding things, proficient swimmer
Physical Characteristics - Beautiful features
Lucky Day - Tuesday
Most Harmonious Signs - Cancer, Pisces, Scorpio

You were born under the Sign of the Scorpio, which symbolizes your strength, determination and makes you a natural leader. In addition you are a proficient swimmer, unless of course you have just had your hair done or someone has had the nerve to throw you into the swimming pool at a wild party.

Because you have an excellent memory, but are easily excitable, you think and act with great speed. This can cause you to ascend to the heights of achievement or turn like the scorpion and destroy your own happiness. So slow down and take your time!

The ruling plant of Scorpio, the eighth house of the zodiac, is Mars, named for the god of war. Because of this you have deep emotion and tremendous passion beneath the calm surface of your personality and enjoy a good argument over who gets the corner hydrant. You want to have your paw in everything that goes on, yet at times you can be frustratingly independent and can make everyone around you feel unimportant.

You are vain with a magnetic personality; your hypnotic charm draws all those who come in contract with you and you love the fuss that everyone makes. But let no one forget that you have very strong likes and dislikes.

Your endurance is really remarkable. Your strength should, however, be guarded or you will over extend yourself just to prove that you can.

But your Peter Pan qualities will never let you completely grow up and you will be charmingly youthful even in later years. You like to hide your toys and possession where no one, including you can find them again even though you have an excellent memory.

You can be ruthless like the eagle and will go through any ordeal for your loved ones. Watch your paws carefully, stay away from drafts and never indulge in rich foods.

Particular and skeptical regarding finding a mate, you would do well to be with one born between June 22 and July 22 and will be quite pleased if this "arrangement" was made for you.

This will be an excellent year for you and you may play a prominent role in a patriotic event. Your lucky number will be 8. You love flowers, but fall is your favorite time of the year and you will delight in roaming the woods and enjoying the smells. Your favorite color is dark red.

My Tail of Devotion for Lucy

This is a special Tail of Devotion

See All Tails of Devotion